PREPARE EVACUATE RECOVER

These were the words stated over and over due to Hurricane Irene. How many lives were saved? No one will really know. The cynics say too much hype when it became a Tropical Storm- that caused billions of damage, anyway. I like to be as prepared as I can. I need to review all my emergency items like batteries, working flashlights, bottled water in the house. I even asked one of daughters about a safety plan of where we would meet if we all had to evacuate.  Even though I live in an Urban area, a few days without hydro or a flushable toilet would be uncomfortable. All our hearts, prayers and thoughts go to those affected by not only this natural disaster but the last few months that started with Spring floods to Summer storms and all that the weekend brought to the Eastern Seaboard. We will wait to see what the Fall and Winter will bring. No wonder we talk about the weather so much- it really does affect our lives no matter what technology exists!  Are you doing okay today? Were you affected by the weekend storm? Don't give up hope, you will recover!

HURRICANE SEASON

As the Maritimes braces for Hurricane Earl and what he will bring, it reminds me of a childhood memory- Hurricane Hazel. That Hurricane in 1954 was one of the worst natural disasters for the Toronto area for decades. It is the reason there are deep ditches in many parts of the GTA in case there is flooding again. My main memory at age 4 is my mother's panic and having to go to the basement. I think that is why she was always afraid of storms. I thought it was just my mother who had that phobia until my 30's when I had a neighbour who would come to my house if she was alone during a thunderstorm. Every area of the world and home here in Canada can be affected by natural disasters. Manitoba has its periodic floods, tornados that have touched down coast to coast, the terrible forest fires in British Columbia and of course many winter blizzards that rain havoc. Back to Hurricanes. We are usually unscathed by them. However, history does tell us otherwise. What is your memory of a natural disaster that impacted your life? Do you try to be prepared in case of an emergency situation?